Summary
When a game claims one of its respective genre’s absolute classics as an influence, it can be a tough balancing act on the part of developers. Thankfully, Sabotage Studio’sSea of Starsis the best kind of throwback to the glory days of 16-bit RPGs, completely capturing the tone and feel of some of the highlights from Square’s SNES-era output while also innovating enough to not try and exist purely off of players' nostalgia. Part ofSea of Stars' brilliance rests in its ability to pay homage to its influences while also carving out its own identity, and a perfect example of this is the Wheels mini-game.
Although a lot of the talk surroundingSea of Starsahead of its release was how much the game was clearly inspired by andreminiscent ofChrono Trigger, its influences actually span much wider than Square’s 1995 classic. For as much ofChrono Trigger’s DNA can be found inSea of Stars, there’s an argument to be made that it also shares plenty withPaper Marioand the criminally overlooked PS1 classicLegend of Dragoon. In this regard, the Wheels mini-game fromSea of Starsis another touchpoint for fans of 32-bit era classics in the RPG genre, and it stands as one of the best and most unique mini-games ever featured in games of its like.
RELATED:How Sea of Stars' Wheels Mini-Game Adds to Its Worldbuilding
Sea of Stars Honors Classic JRPGs With its Addictive Mini-Game
Some of the best RPGs in the genre are known as much for their worthwhile distractions from the critical path as they are for their core adventures.Super Mario RPG,Breath of Fire 3, andFinal Fantasy 7; each of these games is widely loved not just for their main quest but for the multiple ways that they hook players' interest for dozens (if not hundreds) of hours. In providing fans with its own spin on this tried-and-true genre staple,Sea of Starsjoins an impressive pedigreeof classic RPGs that have completely optional mini-games that are just as compelling as anything on offer in the main game.
That engagement with the Wheels mini-game is completely optional is just part of its charm, existing in players' peripherals whenever they feel like taking a break fromSea of Stars' compelling narrative. When they do, what’s in store for them is a distraction so addictive and worthwhile that it’s entirely possible to spend hour after hour locked into casual or championship matches and lose track of what’s actually at stake. In terms of the criteria that make up a great RPG mini-game, Wheels meets just about every one.
How Sea of Stars’ Wheels Compares to Classics Like Triple Triad
Of course, using the term “mini-game” in the context of an RPG can mean several different things. Some classics, likeFinal Fantasy 7, feature so many different mini-games courtesy of itsin-game casino the Gold Saucerthat simply saying “the mini-game fromFF7” could be referring to snowboarding, boxing, or even the quasi-necessary Chocobo racing and breeding. In comparison,Final Fantasy 8has arguably the best singular mini-game in theFinal Fantasyseries with its addictive card game—Triple Triad.
Similar toThe Witcher 3’s Gwent, another excellent and highly addictive mini-game,Triple Triad simulates the real-life activityof sitting down with friends to play a collectible card game.Sea of Stars' Wheels treads a similar path, but instead of simulating CCGs opts for a digitized version of playing a tabletop miniatures game mixed with a slot machine. Both Triple Triad and Wheels' addictive nature is only enhanced by the possibility of winning new cards or miniatures from victory, and have that “just one more” quality that is often found in the best in-game distractions.
Sea of Starsis available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
